Flooded by 6.5 million tourists, proof Bandung still has extraordinary appeal.

Bandung has once again proven itself as one of Indonesia's favorite destinations. From January to August 2025 alone, over 6.5 million tourists have visited to enjoy its cool atmosphere, creative culinary offerings, and diverse cultural attractions.

This figure is not just a statistic but a strong signal that Bandung still possesses extraordinary appeal. 

Head of Bandung City's Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar), Adi Junjunan Mustafa, called this achievement a positive momentum for pursuing the annual target.

“By August 2025, the number of tourist visits to Bandung City has reached 6.5 million people, a significant increase from the first semester's achievement of 3.53 million visits,” Adi stated in Bandung on Monday.

With this achievement, hopes of reaching the target of 8.7 million tourist visits by the end of 2025 are increasingly wide open.

Culinary, the Main Magnet of the City of Flowers

Bandung is indeed renowned as a paradise for traditional food to contemporary culinary innovations. Every corner of the city offers new flavors that pique curiosity. 

Unsurprisingly, Disbudpar's study shows that 60 percent of tourists come specifically for the culinary scene.

“Culinary is the main magnet of Bandung's tourism. The rest include shopping, fashion, and heritage tourism. Bandung is indeed known for its unique culinary creativity that always offers something new,” he said.

Beyond just satisfying hunger, Bandung's culinary tourism also offers the ambiance of aesthetic cafes, legendary street food, and the warm touch of local culture. 

According to Adi, this aligns with the character of modern tourists seeking authentic experiences, not merely destinations.

Therefore, his office continues to encourage businesses to strengthen Bandung's image as a creative culinary city that never runs out of ideas.

Iconic Destinations Dominate, Outskirts Begin to Attract Attention

Bandung is one city rich in tourist destinations. Choices range from the city center to the outskirts, becoming increasingly diverse.

Some places that remain tourist favorites include the Bandung Old Town area, Al Jabbar Grand Mosque, Geological Museum, Saung Angklung Udjo, Traffic Garden (Taman Lalu Lintas), and Kiara Artha Park. 

Interestingly, visitation patterns are starting to shift. Tourists are no longer just gathering in the city center.

“Tourist visitation patterns are now becoming more evenly distributed. Not only to the city center but also to destinations in the outskirts that offer a new atmosphere,” Adi stated.

Local Tourists Still Dominate

Although Bandung is increasingly recognized globally, local tourists still dominate.

“Indeed, the comparison is still significant. Domestic tourists far outnumber foreign tourists,” he revealed.

The dominance of domestic tourists shows that Bandung remains the favorite getaway for Indonesians when they need entertainment, a short holiday, or simply good food.

With the rising trend in visits, culinary innovation, and equitable distribution of tourist destinations, Bandung is on track to maintain its title as Indonesia's number one creative tourism city.(Antara)